An AI-generated picture of President Trump dressed as the pope is breaking the internet — with some suggesting it’s “kind of beautiful,” while others are bashing it as “sacrilegious.”
The Trumped-up papal image was jokingly shared on the White House’s X account Friday and the president’s Truth Social has since topped tens of millions of views.
The image shows Trump holding up his index finger as if about to preach ex cathedra — clad in the traditional bright white Catholic vestments with gold lining.
“Seeing is believing! A picture is worth a thousand words,” cheered Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), a Southern Baptist, in a response post on X.
“Glad to report there is very positive reception and strong momentum for President Trump to be the next Pope,” he joked of the president, who as a non-denominational Christian is ineligible to be pope unless he converts to Catholicism.
“But I will be first to admit there has been some resistance! Must keep your head down and plow forward — can’t let the naysayers win the day. Next week is crucial as the papal conclave convenes…. More updates to come!”
Others chimed in with supportive posts.
Conservative writer Rod Dreher even came up with a new slogan.
“Well, why not? ‘Make Rome Borgia Again’ is not too bad after The Very Humble Francis. Could lead to an, um, Renaissance in the Church,” he wrote on X.
“I’m not entirely sure Trump did this himself, but if he did, he just made the left defend religion and that’s kind of beautiful,” another wrote.
But the New York State Catholic Conference and other members of the faith tore into the White House for the “offense and sacrilegious” meme.
“There is nothing clever or funny about this image, Mr. President,” the Empire State Catholic Bishops blasted the president.
“We just buried our beloved Pope Francis and the cardinals are about to enter a solemn conclave to elect a new successor of St. Peter. Do not mock us.”
“Mr. President (@realDonaldTrump)—please cease this offensive and sacrilegious behavior,” pleaded former Vice President Mike Pence’s speechwriter Joshua Charles.
Eric Sammons, a Catholic and the editor-in-chief of Crisis magazine said he wasn’t offended.
“It’s typical Trump humor, and I’ve learned not to take that too seriously,” said Sammons.
“I’m much more worried about how actual occupants of the Chair of St. Peter might demean the office.”
Trump, 78, flew with first lady Melania Trump to the pope’s funeral last Saturday, where he held an impromptu, high-stakes meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as the US seeks to broker talks ending Kyiv’s more-than-three-year war with Russia.
One Catholic internet sleuth said Trump appeared to be enjoying extending the Sign of Peace to mourners in St. Peter’s Square.
The conclave to elect the new pope is scheduled for May 7, with Vatican Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, 70, currently the odds-on favorite to replace Francis.
Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, 67, is in a close second followed by Ghanaian Cardinal Peter Turkson, 76, who could be the first African pope.
Francis died after a prolonged battle with double pneumonia on April 21.
Vice President JD Vance was able to meet with the 88-year-old pontiff on Easter Sunday just before and shared an emotional tribute after his passing.
“I was happy to see him yesterday, though he was obviously very ill. But I’ll always remember him for the below homily he gave in the very early days of COVID. It was really quite beautiful. May God rest his soul,” Vance said.
The pope advocated against the Trump administration’s immigration policies earlier this year, calling it a “major crisis,” but his meeting with Vance was warm. The Holy Father even gave three chocolate Easter eggs for the vice president’s children.
Vance, who is Catholic, defended the meme. “As a general rule, I’m fine with people telling jokes and not fine with people starting stupid wars that kill thousands of my countrymen,” he wrote on X.
The Post reached out to the White House for comment.
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